Navigating the Austin Industrial Market: Insights and Strategies for Success

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  Omar Nasser

  Omar is the Central Texas industrial expert. From Austin to San Antonio, you’ll be hard pressed to find an industrial project Omar doesn’t have the scoop on. Omar knows the industrial market inside and out, as he works on project leasing assignments, tenant representation requirements, and commercial real estate investment and user sale opportunities. Whether you’re in need of industrial space or have a space or project you’re looking to lease, sublease, purchase or sell, he’s your guy. Before joining the AQUILA industrial team, Omar worked for Peloton Commercial Real Estate and Prologis where he was successful in facilitating over 200 leases and sales totaling over $300 million in transaction volume.

  AQUILA

  Principal

  Omar Nasser

  Principal

  AQUILA

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  Joe Iannacone

  Joe Iannacone, an industrial development expert with over 20 years of experience, became an integral part of Titan Development in 2017. Throughout his dynamic career, Joe has successfully managed projects totaling over $1 billion in development, showcasing his adept navigation of complex development landscapes. He received his Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Colorado State University. As a Partner at Titan, Joe now leads the Industrial division, steering development opportunities in key markets such as Austin, San Antonio, Colorado, and Florida. A subject matter expert, Joe collaborates closely with clients to identify tailored solutions, whether through speculative projects or build-to-suit development. Noteworthy clients served under his guidance include Amazon, CelLink, ZT Systems, Valex, and Factory Builder Stores. Joe is known for his enduring relationships with city and government officials throughout the development process. Recognized as one of the "Texas 100," a list of influential professionals to watch in 2023, by the business journals in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, Joe continues to make significant contributions to the field. companies, high-tech industry leaders, and many other industrial in-demand partners.

  Titan Development

  Partner

  Joe Iannacone

  Partner

  Titan Development

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  Eric Marcella

  Co-Founder

  Balcones Real Estate Group

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  Paul Wagner

  Paul serves as Principal of ARCO/Murray’s Central Texas-based operations, which in conjunction with the larger ARCO enterprise, will eclipsed $6B in revenue in 2023 and is the nation’s largest Warehouse and Distribution Builder. He is responsible for all aspects of the design-build process, contributing to his customers’ success through a seamless and efficient design, permitting, and construction process. Paul is currently overseeing several projects across a variety of market sectors in the Austin and San Antonio markets, including notable industrial projects – TransPak Manor Industrial Park, MDH Hwy 71 Logitics Center, Tradition 14|35 Belton Crossing, and Balcones Real Estate Group Westinghouse Business Park. As a true Austinite, Paul is a committed UT Sports fan and golf enthusiast. Outside of athletic activities, he enjoys traveling the country with his family for long weekends. Paul graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering.

  Arco Murray

  Principal

  Paul Wagner

  Principal

  Arco Murray

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  Eric Hudson

  Partner

  Method Architecture

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  Nick Campbell

  As Vice President at Gordon Highlander, Nick brings over 25 years of construction industry experience and a strong commitment to operational excellence. He oversees the DFW market, leads strategic growth initiatives, and drives client engagement with a results-oriented approach that reflects the company’s core values. Nick has successfully delivered projects across industrial, corporate interiors, and ground-up sectors, earning a reputation for building lasting relationships with clients, trade partners, and design teams. A proud Texas A&M graduate, he is also passionate about mentoring emerging professionals and championing continuous improvement across all areas of the business.

  Gordon Highlander

  VP

  Moderator

  Nick Campbell

  VP

  Gordon Highlander

Capital Allocation and Investment Opportunities in the ATX Market

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  Brad Copeland

  Co-Founder and Managing Partner

  CLX Ventures

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  Brett Zimmerman

  As Principal of M2G Ventures, Brett Zimmerman leads M2G’s investments platform across the state of Texas, focusing on the firm’s primary investment strategies of class A light industrial, urban industrial, adaptive reuse & mixed-use districts, and land. He manages all investment activities, including sourcing, structuring, and capitalizing new opportunities, as well as founding and developing M2G’s Austin office. Brett’s strategic hiring marks the beginning of M2G’s expansion into Central Texas. Prior to joining M2G Ventures, Brett worked at Pennybacker Capital for seven years, where he ended as Director on the investments team originating equity investments on a direct and joint venture basis. He focused on investments in the logistics sector across select US growth markets, and his track record includes 41 deals within industrial, multifamily, office and retail product types across seven markets and the acquisition of 8M+ of logistics property in less than two years. Brett received his bachelors in finance with a minor in political science from the University of Denver.

  Austin, M2G Ventures

  Principal

  Brett Zimmerman

  Principal

  Austin, M2G Ventures

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  Chris McColpin

  Prior to joining Newmark, McColpin served as a Managing Director of JLL Capital Markets, Americas, in Austin, where he facilitated debt and equity transactions across an array of property types. He previously served as a Vice President at Lone Star Funds’ credit affiliate, LStar Capital, and spent time at Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs working on loan origination teams.

  Newmark

  Senior Managing Director

  Chris McColpin

  Senior Managing Director

  Newmark

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  Jeffory Stringer

  For more than 27 years, Jeff consistently is successful sourcing institutional developments focused on creating value for partners. Jeff’s direct involvement in every facet of development and longstanding relationships within the real estate community provides extensive knowledge to partnerships. His proficiencies include sourcing land sites, capital markets, acquisitions, development, construction, asset management and disposition across a wide range of projects. Thus far in his career, Jeff has developed more than 22 million square feet of commercial property. Prior to joining Quannah Partners, he held leadership positions at Dalfen Industrial, Davis Commercial Development, Conor Commercial Real Estate, Weatherford International (Gulf Coast Real Estate Leader) and Stonebridge Real Estate Development & Investments. Jeff has acquired more than 600 acres of institutional industrial land in (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin) the major industrial markets in Texas. He was the development leader on each development, working with investors, negotiating partnership agreements, acquiring debt, hiring contractors, consultants and brokerage teams. Jeff has sponsored as an associate member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) and has participated in the Urban Land Institute. He holds a BBA in Finance from Texas A&M University. Jeff lives in Houston with his wife and one son.

  Quannah Partners

  Senior Director of Development

  Jeffory Stringer

  Senior Director of Development

  Quannah Partners

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  Jeff Bates

  Jeff Bates is a member of Winstead's Real Estate Development & Investments Practice Group. Jeff's practice focuses on all aspects of commercial real estate, including the sale, acquisition, disposition, leasing, financing and development of office, retail, industrial and energy facilities.

  Winstead PC

  Shareholder

  Moderator

  Jeff Bates

  Shareholder

  Winstead PC

Developing and Designing to Meet the Needs of Both Large and Small Tenants

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  Brian Strohl

  Brian is Link’s senior vice president, Development, for the Central Region. He leads a team responsible for executing development projects in major markets including Austin, Chicago, Dallas and Minneapolis. Brian joined Link in 2021, bringing significant industry experience. He was previously a senior vice president at Duke Realty, where he worked for 18 years and led development and construction projects across several markets and regions. He has specialized experience in brownfield development and sustainable construction practices, possesses a LEED AP credential and is a registered professional engineer. Brian earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Dayton and is a member of NAIOP’s North Texas chapter. Married with one daughter, he lives in Denton County, Texas, and is steadily working toward his goal of hiking every national park.

  Link Logistics

  SVP - Central Region Development

  Brian Strohl

  SVP - Central Region Development

  Link Logistics

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  Whitney Williamson

  Whitney Williamson is Vice President, Market Officer for Austin and San Antonio at Prologis. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing all operational activities for the combined 7.7MSF portfolio including strategy, leasing and property management. She also collaborates with the Capital Deployment team on acquisitions and developments. Whitney joined Prologis in 2018 as a member of the Dallas leasing team, most recently covering Prologis’ DFW Airport portfolio. Whitney received her Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and undergraduate degrees from Southern Methodist University. She is a member of NAIOP Austin and the Commercial Brokers Association of Austin. Additionally, she serves on the University of Texas Real Estate Center Advisory Council and the SMU Cox Folsom Institute for Real Estate Advisory Board.

  Prologis

  Vice President, Market Officer

  Whitney Williamson

  Vice President, Market Officer

  Prologis

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  Lexie Hall Burns

  Lexie exclusively represents Tenants. She specializes in the representation of companies in Austin and around the globe. In order to achieve clients’ goals, Lexie implements a client-centered approach in order to develop, plan, and execute real estate solutions. Lexie's highest priority is the client relationship. Whether the company is nationally recognized or establishing their first business endeavor, with her open and responsive approach, she make deals happen. Knowing where her clients stand within the real estate process is where Lexie specializes and does not over complicate the situation.

  Cushman & Wakefield

  Senior Director, Tenant Representation

  Lexie Hall Burns

  Senior Director, Tenant Representation

  Cushman & Wakefield

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  Brett Pitt

  Brett Pitt is President of Merriman / Pitt Anderson (MPA), an architecture and interior design firm specializing in Industrial/Manufacturing, Hospitality (Hilton & Marriott brands), Multi-Family, Commercial/Office, and Mixed-Use projects. With over 25 years of experience in the Austin architecture industry, Brett has led MPA's business development, client management, and project oversight since its inception in 2012. His diverse portfolio includes Corporate Office, Medical Office, Tenant-Improvement, Mixed-Use, Hospitality, Multi-Family, Schools, Retail, Financial, Civic, Religious, Energy, Transportation/Aviation, and Industrial/Manufacturing projects. Brett's broad experience ensures optimal design value and construction feasibility for his clients' investments.

  MPA Architects (Merriman Pitt/Anderson)

  President

  Brett Pitt

  President

  MPA Architects (Merriman Pitt/Anderson)

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  Chris Copeland

  Chris Copeland, Vice President of Industrial at Catamount Constructors, brings a wealth of expertise with 20 years of experience in construction management. With a proven track record spanning national industrial, cold storage, office, retail, and multifamily markets, Chris consistently exhibits exceptional leadership qualities that benefit all project stakeholders. His profound understanding of the complexities within industrial construction, combined with strategic insights and strong planning and organizational skills, positions Chris as a driving force to develop Catamount’s best-in-class industrial footprint nationwide.

  Catamount Constructors

  VP, Industrial

  Chris Copeland

  VP, Industrial

  Catamount Constructors

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  Amber Autumn

  With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Amber brings an abundance of industry knowledge to her Business Development role at Summit Design + Build. Amber grew up admiring the art of building construction, following her father into the industry. She began her career in the field in various superintendent roles before shifting her focus to project management and business development. Amber’s experience in all facets of construction allows her to better understand current and prospective clients’ unique visions and construction needs.

  Summit Design & Build

  Director

  Moderator

  Amber Autumn

  Director

  Summit Design & Build